Dosing device adapted for dispensing a concentrate from a holder in a metered manner

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a dosing device comprising a housing comprising at least one inlet, at least one outlet, and a liquid flow path extending from the inlet to the outlet. The dosing device is adapted for dispensing in a metered manner a viscous concentrate from a holder. The concentrate in diluted condition forms a beverage suitable for consumption. The dosing device is adapted to be connected, in use, to a storage space of the holder. According to the invention, the dosing device comprises a gear pump to be included in the liquid flow path, which gear pump can be driven in particular by a rotor located upstream of the gear pump, by means of changing magnetic fields.

This invention relates to a dosing device comprising a housingcomprising at least one inlet, at least one outlet, a liquid flow pathextending from the inlet to the outlet, and a pump included in theliquid flow path, the dosing device being adapted for dispensing in ametered manner a viscous concentrate from a holder in which theconcentrate is contained, the concentrate in diluted form giving aproduct suitable for consumption, the holder comprising a storage spacein which the concentrate is contained, and the inlet of the dosingdevice being adapted to be connected, in use, to the storage space ofthe holder.

Such a device is known from British patent application 2103296. Thedosing device described therein comprises a hollow cylinder-shaped bodymanufactured from a flexible elastic material. The body in questionencloses a pumping volume. Further, the device comprises an operatingelement for compressing the body in an axial direction. The device alsocomprises a hollow cylinder-shaped housing which is adapted to encompasssaid body on its outer side at least during the phase in which thepumping volume is reduced. The flexible body is cyclically deformed inan axial direction, with the result that in each cycle a predeterminedamount of extract is dispensed. To that end, the operating element isdriven by means of a pulsating magnetic field. For driving the operatingelement, the dosing device is placed in a unit for generating apulsating magnetic field. In a pulsating magnetic drive, the position ofthe dosing device with respect to the unit in axial direction of thedosing device is of great influence on the power to be supplied. Thismakes placing the dosing device in the unit very critical.

Further, the known dosing device has as a disadvantage that its actionis dependent on the viscosity of the concentrate.

The object of the invention is to provide an improved dosing device. Tothat end, the dosing device according to the invention is characterizedin that the pump comprises a gear pump.

As the dosing device comprises a gear pump included m the liquid flowpath, it is no longer necessary, as in the known device, to utilize apulsating drive. Because a pulsating drive can be omitted, the placementof the dosing device in a dispensing machine is no longer critical. Afurther advantage is that in the diluted form of the concentrate, theso-called zebra effect does not arise because the concentrate is notdispensed in a pulsating manner.

Further, by virtue of the gear pump, the dosing device can be ofeconomically advantageous construction.

A further advantage of the device according to the invention is thatmetering can be set steplessly. Furthermore, the gear pump can bearranged such that the rotation axis of each gear pump is directedapproximately parallel to the direction of the liquid flow path. Such aconstruction is easy to realize. Moreover, the dosing device can bedesigned with small overall dimensions. According to a more advancedembodiment, the dosing device is provided, upstream of the gear pump,with a rotor mechanically connected to the gear pump, for driving thegear pump using a changing magnetic field. Preferably the rotor isconnected to the drive shaft for driving the gear pump.

An advantage is that the rotor can be included in the liquid flow path,so that this also obtains the function of stirrer. In particular, thedosing device is driven by a drive shaft of which an axial axis isdirected in the direction from the inlet to the outlet. As a dynamicliquid sealing of the drive shaft can be omitted, there is relativelylittle energy loss and there is a very small chance of leakage orcontamination. A further advantage is that the concentrate remainingbehind in the dosing device after use is hermetically sealed from theoutside world.

What is also achieved by virtue of the specific direction of the driveshaft is that the dosing device can be placed in a dispensing machinerotation-independently. The position of the rotor is not critical then.If the dosing device is connected to a holder filled with theconcentrate, this connection can likewise be effectedrotation-independently.

According to the preferred embodiment, the dosing device comprises asubstantially rotation-symmetrical housing of which an axial axisextends in the direction from the inlet to the outlet. In particular,the dosing device is provided, downstream of the gear pump, with a valveincluded in the liquid flow path which opens when the liquid pressureupstream of the valve exceeds a predetermined threshold value. The useof a gear pump in combination with a pressure relief valve has theadvantage that no leakage flow owing to internal play arises in thenon-driven condition. Moreover, the valve provides for a microbiologicalsealing, which is important for beverages suitable for consumption.

The holder according to the invention is characterized in that it isfilled with the concentrate which in diluted condition is suitable forconsumption, the holder being fitted with a dosing device according tothe invention as described hereinbefore.

As the dosing device according to the invention, viewed in axialdirection, can be made of low design, less length, viewed in thisdirection, is needed for driving than in the known linear magnet. Thiscreates the possibility of making the dosing device extendible insteadof foldable, so that a tearing strip in the holder, when it is designedas a so-called bag in box, can be omitted. This provides the advantagethat making the bag in box operational involves a simpler operation. Inparticular, accordingly, the holder is provided with a bag formed fromflexible sheetlike material, in which the concentrate is contained, anda housing in which the bag is accommodated.

The invention also relates to an apparatus for preparing a beveragesuitable for consumption, the apparatus being adapted to be charged witha holder as mentioned hereinbefore. The apparatus comprises amagnetization unit for generating at least one magnetic field whichchanges so as to drive the rotor to allow the dosing device to dispenseconcentrate from the holder in a metered manner. The apparatus furthercomprises means for diluting the dispensed concentrate with water forobtaining the beverage suitable for consumption. The magnetization unitcan be provided with a magnet and driving means for rotating a magnetfor generating the changing magnetic field. It is also possible,however, that the magnetization unit is provided with a plurality ofcoils for generating the changing magnetic field. The invention alsorelates to an assembly comprising an apparatus for preparing a beveragesuitable for consumption and a holder as described hereinbefore. Theapparatus is adapted to be loaded with the holder, the apparatuscomprising driving means for driving the dosing device to cause thedosing device to dispense concentrate from the holder in a meteredmanner, and means for diluting the dispensed concentrate with water forobtaining the beverage suitable for consumption.

The invention will presently be further explained with reference to thedrawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows an exploded view of a possible embodiment of a dosingdevice according to the invention, which is connected to a folderaccording to the invention. FIG. 1 also shows a magnetization unit of anapparatus for preparing a beverage suitable for consumption;

FIG. 2 shows a number of parts of the dosing device according to FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows a number of parts of the dosing device and the apparatusfor preparing a beverage suitable for consumption according to FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 a shows a top plan view of the gear pump of the dosing deviceaccording to FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 b shows a cross section of the dosing device according to FIG. 1which is placed in the magnetization unit of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 a shows a top plan view of the dosing device according to FIG. 1which is placed in the magnetization unit according to FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 b shows a view of the dosing device according to FIG. 1 which isplaced in the magnetization unit according to FIG. 1; and

FIG. 6 shows a holder with a dosing device according to the invention,an apparatus for preparing a beverage suitable for consumption accordingto the invention, and an assembly comprising the apparatus and theholder according to the invention.

In FIGS. 1-6, reference numeral 1 indicates a dosing device according tothe invention. The dosing device comprises an inlet 2 and at least oneoutlet 4.

The liquid flow path extends from the inlet 2 to the outlet 4. In thisexample, the dosing device comprises a housing 6 a and 6 b composed oftwo parts, which is rotation-symmetrical around an axis which isdirected in the direction of the liquid flow path.

In the housing 6 a, 6 b, a gear pump 8 is included. At the top, the gearpump 8 comprises a covering plate 10 having an inflow opening 12. Theinflow opening 12 is in fluid communication with a space where the teethof, in this case two, gearwheels 14 a and 14 b mesh. The gearwheel 14 bis driven by a drive shaft 16 which in mounted condition extends throughan opening 18 of the covering plate 10. The drive shaft 16 can be drivendirectly by means of an external drive, for rotation of the gear pump.The gear pump 8 is provided at its underside with an outflow opening 20for dispensing liquid. The drive shaft 16 is so directed that an axialaxis of this drive shaft is directed in the direction from the inlet 2to the outlet 4. In this example, the housing 6 a, 6 b is designed to besubstantially rotation-symmetrical around the axial axis, likewiseextending in the direction from the inlet 2 to the outlet 4.

In this example, however, the dosing device is provided, upstream of thegear pump 8, with a rotor 22 connected mechanically with the gear pump,in this example connected mechanically with the rotary shaft 16. Inmounted condition, this rotor 22 is disposed above the covering plate10. The rotor can be driven by means of an external drive for rotatingthe gear pump 8. Preferably, the rotor is adapted to be driven by meansof a changing magnetic field, for the purpose of driving the gear pump8.

In this example it holds, further, that the rotor 22 is included in theliquid flow path mentioned. In this example, the rotor is provided witha permanent magnet for contactlessly driving the rotor by means of atleast one varying magnetic field. In particular it holds, in thisexample, that the rotor comprises a plurality of arms 24 extending inradial direction of the rotation axis (drive shaft 16). Moreparticularly, there are only two arms, disposed in line with each otherand hence forming a beamlike body. The ends of the arms form poles ofthe permanent magnet mentioned. The poles of the permanent magnet willwant to follow the changing magnetic field, which has as a result thatthe rotor and the drive shaft 16 will start to rotate. The devicedescribed up to this point works as follows. Suppose that the inlet 2 ofthe dosing device is connected to a holder 26, shown schematically inFIGS. 1 and 6, in which an amount of concentrate, such as, for instance,coffee concentrate, is present. The holder 26, as shown best in FIG. 6,is fitted with the dosing device according to FIG. 1. In this example,the holder 26 includes a bag 28 (indicated by broken lines), formed by aflexible sheetlike material, in which the concentrate is contained, anda housing 30 in which the bag 28 is accommodated. The housing 30 ispreferably made of substantially rigid design and hence is more rigidthan the bag 28. The inlet 2 of the dosing device is in fluidcommunication with the inside of the bag 28. By presently generating amagnetic field changing in a predetermined manner, the rotor 22 willstart to rotate in a predetermined manner. As a consequence, the gearpump 8 will likewise start to rotate, with the result that concentrateflows via the inflow opening 12 and the space between the teeth of thegearwheels to the outflow opening 20 mentioned. Thus the amount ofconcentrate dispensed in a metered manner corresponds with the angle ofrotation through which the rotor 22 is rotated. The relation issubstantially linear.

In FIG. 6, reference numeral 31 designates an apparatus for preparing abeverage suitable for consumption. The apparatus 31 is adapted to beloaded with the holder 26. The apparatus 31 comprises a magnetizationunit 32 for generating the changing magnetic field referred to fordriving the rotor. Further, the apparatus comprises means 34 fordiluting the concentrate dispensed by the dosing device 1 with water.These means 34 comprise a hot water generator 36 and a mixing unit 38.In use, the housing 6 a, 6 b of the dosing device is inserted through anopening 40 of the magnetization device, such that the outlet 4 of thedosing device reaches into an opening 42 of the mixing device 38. Acontrol unit 44 of the apparatus 31 controls the magnetization unit 32via line 45, such that a changing magnetic field is generated whichcauses the rotor 22 to rotate through a predetermined angle of rotation.As a result, from the holder 26 a predetermined amount of concentrate isdispensed to the mixing device 38. The control unit 44 also activatesthe hot water unit 36 and the mixing unit 38 via respective electricallines 46 and 48. As a result, hot water is sent from the hot water unit36 to the mixing unit 38. In the mixing unit, the hot water is-mixedwith the dispensed concentrate, after which the concentrate, in dilutedcondition and hence in the condition of a beverage suitable forconsumption, leaves an outlet opening 50 of the apparatus 31.

In this example, the magnetization unit 32 comprises a plurality ofcoils 52 for generating the changing magnetic field.

The invention is not limited in any way to the embodiments outlinedhereinabove. Thus, the rotor 22 may also be provided exclusively withsoft iron. Magnetization of the rotor is then effected by the magneticfield of the magnetization unit 31. The rotor will want to orient inthis changing magnetic field, so that the rotation is effected. Therotor 22 may also he driven, in a manner known per se, as is known foran eddy current motor. Upon rotation of the rotor, fly-back pulses arisein the coils 52 of the magnetization device which are not energized.These fly-back pulses can be utilized in the magnetization device in amanner known per se to determine the rotational position of the rotor.On the basis of this rotational position, a (feedback) controlconfiguration known per se can be utilized.

It is also possible that the coils 52 are replaced by permanent magnets,these magnets being mechanically rotated for generating the changingmagnetic field.

Further, in the outflow opening 20 referred to, a valve 54 may beincluded which opens when the liquid pressure upstream of the valveexceeds a predetermined threshold value. This involves a so-callednon-return valve comprising a shut-off member 56 with a spring 58 whichis schematically shown in this example.

In this example, the housing 6 a and 6 b is made of a suitable plastic.The gearwheels 14 a and 14 b and the drive shaft 16 are also made ofplastic. The only metal part is therefore the rotor 22. It is alsopossible that the rotor is included in the liquid flow path downstreamof the gear pump.

The gear pump, instead of being driven by means of the rotor, can alsobe driven in a different manner. Thus, the gear pump can also be drivenmechanically, by means of, for instance, a motor. This motor can then bea part of the apparatus 31. The valve 54 can also be designed as aso-called step valve. Such variants are all understood to fall withinthe scope of the invention.

1. A dosing device comprising a housing comprising at least one inlet,at least one outlet, a liquid flow path extending from the inlet to theoutlet, and a pump included in the liquid flow path, the dosing devicebeing adapted for dispensing in a metered manner a viscous concentratefrom a holder in which the concentrate is contained, the concentrate indiluted form giving a product suitable for consumption, the holdercomprising a storage space in which the concentrate is contained, andthe inlet of the dosing device being adapted to be connected, in use, tothe storage space of the holder, characterized in that the pumpcomprises a gear pump.
 2. A dosing device according to claim 1,characterized in that the gear pump is driven by a drive shaft of whichan axial axis extends in a direction from the inlet to the outlet.
 3. Adosing device according to claim 1, characterized in that the housing ofthe dosing device is substantially rotation-symmetrical design, with anaxial axis of the housing extending in the direction from the inlet tothe outlet.
 4. A dosing device according to claim 1, characterized inthat the dosing device is provided, downstream of the gear pump, with avalve included in the liquid flow path, which opens when the liquidpressure upstream of the valve exceeds a predetermined threshold valve.5. A dosing device according to claim 1, characterized in that thedosing device comprises a rotor rotatably connected to the housing forrotation around a rotation axis, for causing the rotor to rotate aboutthe rotation axis by means of at least one changing magnetic field, therotor being mechanically connected to the gear pump for driving the gearpump with the rotating rotor.
 6. A dosing device according to claims 2and 5, characterized in that the rotor is connected to the drive shaftfor driving the gear pump.
 7. A dosing device according to claim 5 or 6,characterized in that the rotor is included in the liquid flow path. 8.A dosing device according to claim 7, characterized in that the rotor isincluded in the liquid flow path upstream of the gear pump.
 9. A dosingdevice according to claim 5, characterized in that the rotor is providedwith a magnetizable material such as soft iron.
 10. A dosing deviceaccording to claim 5, characterized in that the rotor comprises apermanent magnet for contactlessly driving the rotor by means of atleast one changing magnetic field.
 11. A dosing device according toclaim 5, characterized in that the rotor comprises a plurality of armsextending in radial direction of the rotation axis.
 12. A dosing deviceaccording to claim 10, characterized in that the ends of the arms formpoles of the permanent magnet.
 13. A holder filled with concentratewhich in diluted form is suitable for consumption, the holder comprisinga dosing device according to claim
 1. 14. A holder according to claim13, characterized in that the holder comprises a bag formed from aflexible sheetlike material in which the concentrate is contained, and ahousing in which the bag is received.
 15. A holder according to claim14, characterized in that the inlet of the dosing device is connected tothe bag.
 16. A holder according to claim 13, characterized in that thehousing is of more rigid design than the bag.
 17. An apparatus forpreparing a beverage suitable for consumption, the apparatus beingadapted to be loaded with a holder according to claim 13 which is fittedwith a dosing device characterized in that the dosing device comprises arotor rotatably connected to the housing for rotation around a rotationaxis, for causing the rotor to rotate about the rotation axis by meansof at least one changing magnetic field, the rotor being mechanicallyconnected to the gear pump for driving the gear pump with the rotatingrotor, the apparatus comprising a magnetization unit for generating atleast one magnetic field changing such that the rotor is contactlesslydriven by the magnetization unit for the dosing device to dispenseconcentrate from the holder in a metered manner, and means for dilutingthe dispensed concentrate with water for obtaining the beverage suitablefor consumption.
 18. An apparatus according to claim 17, characterizedin that the magnetization unit comprises a magnet and driving means forrotating the magnet for generating the changing magnetic field.
 19. Anapparatus according to claim 17, characterized in that the magnetizationunit comprises a plurality of coils.
 20. An assembly comprising anapparatus for preparing a beverage suitable for consumption and a holderaccording to claim 13, the apparatus comprising driving means fordriving the dosing device for the dosing device to dispense concentratefrom the holder in a metered manner, and means for diluting thedispensed concentrate with water for obtaining the beverage suitable forconsumption.
 21. An assembly according to claim 20, characterized inthat the holder is detachably connected to the apparatus.
 22. Anassembly according to claim 20, wherein the holder comprises a dosingdevice characterized in that the dosing device comprises a rotorassembly connected to the housing for rotation around a rotation axis,for causing the rotor to rotate about the rotation axis by means of atleast one changing magnetic field, the rotor being mechanicallyconnected to the gear pump for driving the gear pump with the rotatingrotor, characterized in that the apparatus further comprises amagnetization unit for generating at least one magnetic field changingsuch that the rotor is driven for causing the dosing device to dispenseconcentrate from the holder.
 23. An assembly according to claim 22,characterized in that the magnetization unit comprises a magnet anddriving means for rotating the magnet for generating the changingmagnetic field.
 24. An assembly according to claim 22, characterized inthat the magnetization unit comprises a plurality of coils.